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Mitt Romney, as any presidential candidate – regardless of party – got invited to speak to the NAACP. At least Mitt accepted the invitation as his Republican predecessor George W. Bush, turned down the invite of this very influential African-American civil rights organization. Unfortunately, Mitt Romney showed by his speech that he is completely out of touch, not only with the African-American community but with average Americans in general.

The former Massachusetts governor also mentioned his heart, saying, “I believe that if you understood who I truly am in my heart, and if it were possible to fully communicate what I believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African-American families, you would vote for me for president,”

Mitt Romney’s heart is revealed by the things he does, not by what he says. One thing is very clear; he has no idea what African-Americans go through just being a black person in this country. Mr. Romney has no idea of the disparity and the despair that face a young African-American growing up in this country, many of them growing up in the projects of large cities where poverty leaves them without hope and without even decent food.

The Republican nominee for the president, who would have us look at his heart, because he thinks African-Americans will vote for him then. Then he goes on to talk about how he will repeal ObamaCare, in which he was given an expected long drawn out “boo” from the NCAAP crowd. He has no idea of the hope of so many African-Americans, like so many Americans who before The Affordable Care Act had no hope of having any kind of health care.

Mitt Romney also declared in his speech that he would be a better president to African-Americans than Barack Obama. He said, “If you want a president who will make things better in the African-American community, you are looking at him.” And then after a few hecklers and a brief pause he says “You take a look!”

There’s much talk in the media that the whole speech wasn’t really targeted to the NCAAP, but to the Republican base and independents. That’s all speculation at this point but I would say that it’s very likely. Mitt Romney well knows he has very little chance of changing black voters’ minds as much as he can show to his conservative base that he’s their man and he won’t bend.

It would seem Mitt Romney’s remark about his heart, and if only they – African Americans – could just see his heart – then they’d vote for him, would imply in other words to say “Don’t pay any attention to what I’ve said in the past concerning issues that the African-American community cares about, such as voting rights, poverty, education and equality; I just said those things to get past the Republican nomination process and I have to say those things now so that my conservative base will vote for me. So if you could really just see my heart…”

Mitt, your heart is on your sleeve for all to see; you love money and power and you care nothing for those of us who work hard every day just to put food on the table, let alone jet skiing. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t begrudge you your jet skis, if you’ve got the money, enjoy it.

But, please save the dialog Mr. Romney, as though you somehow relate to us and all our daily struggles.

It also has nothing to do with your wealth that you don’t have a clue on what we need or want for our lives. For one example, Ted Kennedy was a very wealthy man but somewhere deep in his heart he realized that those without wealth face all sorts of hardships and sometimes even children suffer because of it. He found compassion for his fellow-man and he fought for their rights with great passion.

African-Americans chose the best man they could choose in 2008, Barack Obama. Certainly, they have suffered most by the Great Recession with the unemployment level for African-Americans at 14.4 %. But they also know that he has stood up for the things they care about, such as income equality, equal rights for all Americans, education and strong support for social programs.

I also believe that African-Americans will see their interests met more by Barack Obama in a second term. A lame duck president has its perks and one of those perks is the fact that a president can do more on what they personally care about the most. And I also believe that the plight of African-Americans in this nation is a great passion of personal concern to President Obama. I believe he will reward his own community greatly when he has more freedom to do it without the political difficulties it would bring.

Mitt Romney on the other hand, doesn’t belong in the White House. He not only has no understanding of typical Americans but his policies are all wrong for America.

We don’t need more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires but we do need our kids to have access to a good education and all Americans to have access to good health care.

What can you do about those things Mr. Romney? When you’ve decided or you’re ready to tell us, then we’ll be ready to listen.